Articles useful as optical waveguides and method for manufacturing same

ABSTRACT

A method for manufacturing an article capable of constraining a propagating wave is disclosed. The method includes contacting a crystalline substrate with a source of deuterium ions to create a region in the crystalline substrate having a crystal structure that includes deuterium ions. The region is capable of constraining a propagating wave to the region.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/157,652, entitled “Articles Useful as Optical Waveguides and Method for Manufacturing Same,” filed on Sep. 21, 1998 in the name of the same inventor and assigned to the same assignee, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,518,078 B2 on Feb. 11, 2003.

STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS

The United States Government has certain rights in this invention pursuant to Grant No. F19628-95-C-0002 awarded by the United States Air Force.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to preparing crystalline substrates useful for optical waveguides.

Crystalline LiNbO₃ and LiTaO₃ are used in optical waveguides. Integrated optic circuits based upon such optical waveguides are useful in various electrooptical devices including, e.g., fiber optic gyros (FOGs), photonic switching devices, and intensity/phase modulation systems. A variety of methods exist for fabricating LiNbO₃ and LiTaO₃ integrated optic circuits. Examples of these methods include localized diffusion of hydrogen into a LiNbO₃ or LiTaO₃ substrate, and proton exchange with the lithium present in the LiNbO₃ or LiTaO₃ substrate. These methods alter one or more refractive indices (e.g., the extraordinary and ordinary refractive indices) of the substrate in the region containing the diffused hydrogen to produce an optical waveguide.

During fabrication of the optical waveguide, protons replace the lithium atoms of the crystal structure. These protons are relatively small in comparison to the lithium atom and thus tend to move about the crystal structure of the waveguide. As a result, optical waveguides, the refractive index, and the region of guide itself tend to drift over time, which alters the output intensity of the waveguide. The waveguides must then be reset or recalibrated to correct for drift.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention features a method for manufacturing an article. The method includes contacting a crystalline substrate with a source of deuterium ions to create a region in the crystalline substrate having a crystal structure that includes deuterium ions. The region is capable of constraining a propagating wave to the region. In one embodiment, the crystalline substrate has a first refractive index and the region has a second refractive index. The second refractive index being different from the first refractive index. In preferred embodiments, the substrate is LiNbO₃ or LiTaO₃.

In one embodiment, the article is an optical waveguide.

In other preferred embodiments, the method further includes annealing the substrate. In another embodiment, the method further includes depositing an electrode pattern on the crystalline substrate. The electrode pattern is capable of modulating a wave propagating through the region.

In one embodiment, the invention features a method for manufacturing an optical waveguide. The method includes contacting a crystalline substrate having a refractive index with a source of deuterium ions to create a region that includes deuterium ions, and annealing the crystalline substrate for a time and at a temperature sufficient to create an optical waveguide. In preferred embodiments, the region has a refractive index different from the refractive index of the crystalline substrate

In another aspect, the invention features an article that includes a crystalline substrate that includes a region that includes deuterium ions. The region is capable of constraining a propagating wave to the region. Preferred substrates include LiNbO₃ and LiTaO₃. In one embodiment, the crystalline substrate has a first refractive index and the region has a second refractive index. The second refractive index of the region is different from the first refractive index of the crystalline substrate. In other embodiments, the region is capable of constraining a propagating optical wave to the region.

In preferred embodiments, the article is an optical waveguide. In one embodiment, the article is an integrated optic circuit. Preferably the integrated optic circuit comprises electrodes positioned to modulate a wave propagating through said article. In other embodiments, the region is capable of supporting transverse magnetic propagation of a wave, transverse electric propagation of a wave, or both transverse magnetic propagation of a wave and transverse electric propagation of a wave.

In other aspects, the invention features a method for manufacturing an article. The method includes contacting a crystalline substrate with a source of tritium ions to create a region in the crystalline substrate having a crystal structure that includes tritium ions. The region is capable of constraining a propagating wave to the region.

In other aspects, the present invention is directed to the calculation, storage and retrieval of data for determining the depth of diffusion of lithium displacing ions in a crystalline substrate that includes lithium ions, and for use in a method for fabricating an optical waveguide. The data and control processes of the invention can be implemented by a software application program executed in a general purpose computing system and in combination with an ion bath.

The data and control processes of the invention can be embodied in a lithium ion displacing diffusion process implemented via the application program and also in an article of manufacture, in the form of a data storage medium that stores application program code arranged to carry out that method upon execution by a processor.

The optical waveguides of the invention are relatively optically and electrically stable such that they exhibit minimal thermal and electrical field drift.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a computing system configured for calculating depth of diffusion and for driving a waveguide manufacturing apparatus of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A-2C are process flow diagrams illustrating a method for calculating the depth of diffusion of lithium dissociating ions into a lithium based crystalline material and for forming an optical waveguide of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention features an article such as an optical waveguide that is capable of constraining a propagating wave. The article is prepared from a crystalline substrate having the formula RMO₃ where R is an alkaline earth metal, and M is a Group IVB or Group VB metal such as niobium or titanium. A variety of materials can be used as the crystalline substrate provided they can be treated to constrain the propagation of a wave. Preferred crystalline substrates permit wave modulation. Suitable substrate crystal structures include, e.g., monoclinic, rhombohedral, orthorhombic, tetragonal, and hexagonal. Preferably the crystalline substrate is a single crystal. Examples of useful optical crystalline substrates include LiNbO₃, LiTaO₃, and Ag₃AsS₃.

The article is treated to create a region, preferably in the form of a channel, in which some of the lithium ions are replaced with deuterium or tritium ions. The channel has one or more refractive indices that differ from the refractive index(pl) of the untreated crystalline substrate. Preferably the channel exhibits no decrease to a slight decrease in extraordinary refractive index relative to the bulk of the untreated substrate, and an increase in ordinary refractive index relative to the bulk of the untreated substrate. The channel is capable of constraining a propagating wave such that the wave propagates through the channel and is not scattered or diffused through the bulk of the untreated crystalline substrate. Preferably the article exhibits the property of allowing a wave propagating through the article to be modulated by an external force.

Articles capable of constraining a propagating wave can be prepared by contacting a crystalline substrate with a source of deuterium ions such that the deuterium ions diffuse through the crystalline substrate to a predetermined depth and in a predetermined dimension to form a region (e.g., a channel) in the substrate that includes deuterium ions. During diffusion, ions of the crystalline substrate (e.g., the lithium ions of a LiNbO₃ substrate) are exchanged with deuterium ions throughout the crystal structure of the substrate such that the deuterium ions occupy sites in the crystal lattice structure formerly occupied by ions of the crystalline substrate, e.g., lithium ions. The deuterium ions are preferably confined to a narrow region so as to form a channel extending from one end of the substrate to another end of the substrate.

Useful sources of deuterium ions include, e.g., deuterated acids. Examples of useful deuterated acids include deuterated sulfuric acid, and deuterated benzoic acid.

In one preferred embodiment, lithographic techniques are used to form a pattern on the crystalline substrate, which is used to define the channel in the optical waveguide. For example, the method for preparing the article can include applying a masking layer of material, e.g., aluminum, chromium, titanium or silicon dioxide, to the surface of a substrate. A photoresist film is then deposited onto the masking layer of the substrate and patterned using ultraviolet light. The resist is developed so as to expose a pattern on the surface of the masking layer. The exposed pattern of masking layer is then dry etched to produce the waveguide channels on the surface of the substrate, with the unetched portion of the masking layer acting as a mask to prevent contact between the substrate and the source of deuterium ions. The channel widths can be of a dimension suitable for the intended wavelength of the wave to be constrained. Useful channel widths range from about 3 to about 10 microns.

The etched channels are then treated by exposing the area of the crystalline substrate defined by the etched channels to a source of deuterium ions, e.g., by immersing the crystalline substrate in a bath of deuterium ions (preferably a pure bath of deuterated sulfuric acid), for a period of time sufficient to achieve exchange of about 50% of the lithium ions with the deuterium ions. The rate of etching can be increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the temperature of the source of deuterium ions. The source of deuterium ions, the surrounding environment (e.g., an oven chamber), and the substrate to be etched can be brought to the etch temperature prior to immersing the substrate in the source of deuterium ions.

In the case of deuterated sulfuric acid and a LiNbO₃ substrate, the substrate is preferably exposed to 99.8% D₂SO₄ (deuterated sulfuric acid) for a period ranging from about 60 hours to about 0.09 hours at a temperature in the range of from about 120° C. to about 240° C.

The deuterium ion treated substrate is then removed from the deuterium ion source (e.g., the acid bath), and, optionally, annealed to drive the deuterium ions farther into the depth of the crystalline substrate. Useful annealing conditions include heating the treated crystalline substrate to a temperature in the range of about 300° C. to about 400° C. for a period of from 12 to 4 hours under an atmosphere of D₂O with O₂ bubbling through the D₂O and the oven chamber. After anneal the substrate preferably contains less than about 12% deuterium ions in the channel.

These process parameters can be altered depending upon the crystalline substrate, the source of deuterium ions, and the conditions of the bath and the anneal (e.g., the pH of the bath, the temperature surrounding the crystalline substrate). The influence of some of the process parameters is disclosed below.

The invention also features a method for manufacturing an optical waveguide having predetermined dimensions using a predetermined rate of diffusion of lithium displacing ions (e.g., hydrogen, deuterium, and tritium) into a substrate, e.g., a LiNbO₃ substrate. The method can be used to determine the depth of diffusion that results from the process of contacting the substrate with a lithium displacing ion to form a treated substrate, and the depth of diffusion that results from the process of annealing the treated substrate. The method also allows for the automated realtime calculation of the depth of diffusion, as well as calculation of the time required to achieve a desired depth of diffusion of lithium displacing ions into a substrate.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary computing system for calculating the depth of diffusion of a lithium displacing ion into a crystalline substrate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, system 10 may include a processor 12, a memory 14 (e.g., a random access memory (RAM), and a program memory (for example, a writable read-only memory (ROM) such as a flash ROM)), input devices 16, output devices 18 and a controller interface 6 for controlling the bath 8. Processor 12 includes a central processing unit (CPU) that forms part of a general purpose computer, such as a PC, Macintosh, or workstation. Memory 14 stores program code for execution by processor 12 including operating system code and application program code, and generally represents a magnetic hard drive or other storage device in combination with a random access memory accessed by processor 12. As one example, memory 14 could be realized in part by a storage drive contacting removable storage media carrying the application program code. Input devices 16 include input media for entry of user input such as a keyboard, mouse, and the like. Output devices 18 include display devices including view screen that provides graphic output, e.g., a CRT or flat panel monitor, a printer (e.g., a desk top printer, an ink jet printer, a laser printer, a photoplotter, and the like), a controller for controlling diffusion bath and the clock, and the like.

FIGS. 2A-2C schematically illustrate a method for calculating the depth of diffusion of a lithium displacing ion into a lithium containing crystalline material. FIG. 2A depicts blocks 20-34, FIG. 2B depicts blocks 38-50 and 68, and FIG. 2C depicts blocks 52-66. When the user starts the application program, as indicated by reference numeral 20, processor 12 signals the control interface for the bath to perform a bath initialization and to set the clock (not shown) equal to zero as indicated by block 22. Processor 12 queries the user via output device 18 for a desired depth of diffusion. Processor 12 receives input from the user via input device 16, assigns the input to variable d₁ and stores d₁ in memory 14 (as indicated by block 23). Processor 12 queries the user via output device 18 for the mass (m) of the lithium displacing ion, e.g., for protons m=1 and for deuterons m=2, (as indicated by block 24). Processor 12 queries the user via output device 18 whether the bath is a strong acid bath (i.e., an acid having a pH of 0 to about 2) (indicated by block 28). Processor 12 receives input from the user via input device 16. If the user input indicates that the bath is a strong acid bath, processor 12 calculates temperature independent diffusion constant D_(om) according to the following equation: $D_{om} = \frac{1.1*10^{9}\quad{um}^{2}\text{/hr}}{\sqrt{m}}$ (as indicated by block 30). If the user input indicates that the bath is a weak acid bath (i.e., an acid having a pH of about 2 to about 3) and processor 12 calculates constant D_(om) according to the following equation: $D_{om} = \frac{0.89*10^{9}\quad{um}^{2}\text{/hr}}{\sqrt{m}}$ (as indicated in block 32). Processor 12 queries the user via output device 18 and/or thermocouple for the temperature in degrees Kelvin of the acid bath (as indicated by block 34). The user or the thermocouple then provides processor 12 with the temperature via input device 16 or controller interface 6. Processor 12 queries user via output device 18 for the type of crystal substrate (as indicated by block 38). The user provides the type of crystal substrate via inptu device 16 . Processor 12 queries look-up table in memory 14 for the energy of activation (E_(A)) associated with the type of crystal structure input by the user (as indicated by block 40). If the crystalline substrate is LiNbO₃, then E_(A)=0.94 eV. Processor 12 calculates constant D (T) according to equation: D(T)=D _(om) e ^((−E) ^(A) ^(/K) ^(B) ^(T)) (as indicated by block 44), where D_(om) is the above calculated constant, E_(A) is the energy of activation for the crystalline substrate, K_(B) is Boltzman's constant (K_(B)=1.38*10⁻²³ J/° K=8.614*10⁻⁵ eV/° K), and T is the temperature surrounding the substrate (e.g, the temperature of the acid bath) in degrees Kelvin.

Processor 12 queries the user via output device 18 whether the user seeks the time (t) required to achieve the desired depth of diffusion (as indicated by block 48). The user provides the requested information via input device 16. If yes, processor 12 calculates (t) according to the following equation: $t = \frac{\frac{d_{1}^{2}}{2}}{D(T)}$ and provides the value of (t) to output 18 (as indicated by block 50). Processor 12 then queries the user whether the lithium ion displacing process should begin (as indicated by block 68). The user provides the requested information via input device 16. If yes, processor 12 signals the user or the control interface for the bath to immerse the crystalline substrate into the acid bath (as indicated by block 52). If not, the program ends (as indicated by reference numeral 66).

If the user input is “no” in response to the above query regarding time not, processor 12 signals the user via output 16 or the control interface 6 for the bath to immerse the crystalline substrate in the acid bath (as indicated by block 52). Processor 12 simultaneously starts the bath clock (as indicated by block 54). Processor 12 periodically polls the bath clock to determine the amount of elapsed time (t) (as indicated by block 56). Processor 12 calculates the depth of diffusion (d₂) according to equation: d ₁=2√{square root over (t*D(T))} (as indicated by block 58). Processor 12 displays depth of diffusion (d2) to user via output device 18 (as indicated by block 60). Processor 12 determines whether d₁=d₂ (as indicated by block 62). If yes, processor 12 sends output to output device 18 indicating depth of diffusion has been achieved and signals the bath or the user to remove the. crystalline substrate from the bath as shown by block 64, and the process ends.

If d₁ does not equal d₂, processor 12 continues to periodically poll the bath clock for the amount of elapsed time (block 56), calculates d₂ (block 58), and determines whether d₁=d₂ (block 62).

The invention will now be described further by way of the following examples.

EXAMPLES

Waveguide Preparation

Example 1

Optical waveguides were prepared as follows. A LiNbO₃ substrate ({circumflex over (Z)}-cut) was immersed in a bath of deuterated sulfuric acid (98% purity (Aldrich)) located in an oven. The oven temperature was ramped from 23° C. at a rate of 0.5° C./min to a temperature of 160° C., held at 160° C. for a period of about 190 minutes and cooled to a temperature of 20° C. at a rate of 1° C./min. The etched substrate was rinsed with distilled water to remove excess acid. The deuterium ion exchange depth was calculated to be 0.19 um.

The treated substrate was then placed in an oven, and the oven temperature was ramped from 23° C. to 360° C. at a rate of 1° C./min, held at 360° C. for a period of two hours, and cooled to 20° C. at a rate of 1° C./min under an atmosphere of dry oxygen.

The treated substrate was then subjected to a second anneal in which the temperature of the oven was ramped from 23° C. to 360° C. at a rate of 1° C./min, held at 360° C. for a period of four hours, and cooled to a temperature of 20° C. at a rate of 1° C./min under an atmosphere of dry oxygen.

The output wave produced by a 632.8 nm helium-neon laser was found to guide through the treated substrate with a loss of −6.13 dB/cm for a 5 um wide waveguide, and −5.14 dB/cm for a 6 um wide waveguide.

Example 2

A 2001 Å layer of SiO₂ was deposited on a 1 in.×0.3 in. LiNbO₃ wafer, patterned using lithographic techniques, and etched using a reactive ion etch to expose a pattern of the LiNbO₃ substrate. The etched substrate was then cleaned with acetone.

The LiNbO₃ substrate was then immersed in a bath of deuterated sulfuric acid (98% purity (Aldrich)) located in an oven. The oven temperature was ramped from 23° C. to 160° C. at a rate of 0.5° C./min, held at 160° C. for a period of 191 minutes, and cooled to a temperature of 20° C. at a rate of 1° C./min. The etched substrate was rinsed with distilled deuterated water to remove excess acid. The deuterium ion exchange depth was calculated to be 0.19 um.

The treated substrate was then annealed by placing the substrate in an oven, and ramping the oven temperature from 23° C. to 360° C. at a rate of 1° C./min. The oven temperature was held at 360° C. for a period of four hours and then cooled to 20° C. at a rate of 1° C./min under an atmosphere of dry oxygen.

The output wave produced by a 632.8 nm helium-neon laser was found to guide through the treated substrate with a loss of −7.46 dB/cm for a 5 um wide waveguide, and −6.53 dB/cm for a 6 um wide waveguide.

Other embodiments are within the claims. For example, although the article has been described as having a region that includes deuterium ions, the article can include tritium ions. Accordingly, the method for preparing the article can also include contacting a crystalline substrate with a source of tritium ions.

The regions of deuterium or tritium ions can be in the form of a variety of patterns that incorporate splitters in a cascading arrangement. The splitters can include Y-junctions arranged in the form of, e.g., a NXM star coupler, where N is a number of input multiplexers and M is a number of output splitters. The star coupler accepts optical signal power from N inputs, combines the N input powers into a single guide and then splits the guide output into M equal parts. Examples of patterns useful in optical waveguide applications are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,935 (Suchoski, Jr. et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,861 (Suchoski, Jr. et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,911 (Suchoski, Jr. et al.).

Metallic electrode patterns can be formed by deposition and photolithographic methods on the surface of the treated crystalline substrate to generate electrode patterns on the crystalline substrate. These electrode patterns can be used to create an integrated optic circuit capable of modulating a wave propagating through the channel in the crystalline substrate. 

1. An article comprising: a crystalline substrate; and a region formed in said crystalline substrate, said region having crystal lattice structure including deuterium ions, the deuterium ions replacing and occupying corresponding sites of ions of said crystalline substrates, said region being capable of constraining a propagating wave to said region, said region being substantially free of zero-neutron hydrogen ions.
 2. The article of claim 1, wherein said crystalline substrate has a first refractive index and said region has a second refractive index, said second refractive index of said region being different from said first refractive index of said crystalline substrate.
 3. The article of claim 1, wherein said region is capable of constraining a propagating optical wave to said region.
 4. The article of claim 1, wherein said substrate is LiNbO₃.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said substrate is LiTaO₃.
 6. The article of claim 1, wherein said article is an optical waveguide.
 7. The article of claim 1, wherein said article is an integrated optic circuit.
 8. The article of claim 7, wherein said integrated optic circuit comprises electrodes positioned to modulate a wave propagating through said article.
 9. The article of claim 1, wherein said region is capable of supporting transverse magnetic propagation of a wave.
 10. The article of claim 1, wherein said region is capable of supporting transverse electric propagation of a wave.
 11. The article of claim 1, wherein said region is capable of supporting both transverse magnetic propagation of a wave and transverse electric propagation of a wave.
 12. An optoelectronic circuit, comprising: a crystalline substrate comprising a lithium containing material; and a region disposed in the substrate, the region having undergone replacement of lithium ions with heavy hydrogen ions, said region being substantially free of zero-neutron hydrogen ions.
 13. The circuit in accordance with claim 12, wherein said lithium containing material comprises LiNbO₃.
 14. The circuit in accordance with claim 13, wherein said heavy hydrogen comprises deuterium.
 15. The circuit in accordance with claim 13, wherein said heavy hydrogen comprises tritium.
 16. The circuit in accordance with claim 13, wherein said region has a first refractive index and said substrate has a second, different, refractive index.
 17. The circuit in accordance with claim 12, wherein said lithium containing material comprises LiTaO₃ .
 18. The circuit in accordance with claim 17, wherein said heavy hydrogen comprises deuterium.
 19. The circuit in accordance with claim 17, wherein said heavy hydrogen comprises tritium.
 20. The circuit in accordance with claim 17, wherein said region has a first refractive index and said substrate has a second, different, refractive index.
 21. The circuit in accordance with claim 12, wherein said heavy hydrogen comprises deuterium.
 22. The circuit in accordance with claim 12, wherein said heavy hydrogen comprises tritium.
 23. The circuit in accordance with claim 12, wherein said region has a first refractive index and said substrate has a second, different, refractive index.
 24. An optoelectric circuit, comprising: a crystalline substrate having the chemical formula RMO₃, where R is an alkaline earth metal, M is a Group IVB or Group VB metal and O is oxygen; a region disposed in the substrate, the region having had some of its lithium ions replaced with heavy hydrogen ions, said region being substantially free of zero-neutron hydrogen ions.
 25. The circuit in accordance with claim 24, wherein said substrate further includes electrodes.
 26. The circuit in accordance with claim 24, wherein said heavy hydrogen ions include at least 1 neutron.
 27. The circuit in accordance with claim 26 wherein said region has a first refractive index and said substrate has a second, different, refractive index.
 28. The circuit in accordance with claim 24 wherein said substrate further includes electrodes.
 29. The circuit in accordance with claim 27, wherein said heavy hydrogen ions include at least 2 neutrons. 